grass cutting briefing

Street Scene and Waste and Strategic Planning and Infrastructure

PRE 2020 GRASS CUTTING REGIME

Plymouth manages over 560 hectares of grass

Grassland types include sports pitches, amenity, verges and meadows

85% of grassland managed as amenity grassland for recreation (regular close mowing)

15% managed for nature with long grass or wildflowers (annual cut and bale)

Regular close mowing during the growing season is dependent on ground and weather conditions

Closely mown grass supports less pollinators, insects and other invertebrates

Cuttings increase soil nutrients creating rapid growth of limited dominant species

environment and bio-diversity

On 18 March 2019 City of Plymouth councillors voted unanimously to declare a climate emergency

The Climate Emergency Action Plan is developing the journey of the council to be carbon neutral specifically investing in tree planting and rewilding corridors

The Council’s Carbon Reduction Plan specifically looks for new approaches to managing the city’s green infrastructure which reduce the need for machinery and increase carbon capture

Before the climate emergency clear reasons to adapt how we manage our green estate are set out within the;

Corporate Plan - sets out a priority for a green, sustainable city that cares about the environment

Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006 states that local authorities must show regard for conserving biodiversity in all their actions

Making Space for Nature (2010) report evidenced the need to better link up existing areas managed for nature in a bid to create stepping stones and stronger ecological networks

JLP policy “HEA7 - Optimising the health and wellbeing benefits of the natural environment”

JLP policy “INT6 - Enhancing Plymouth's 'green city' credentials”

2020 – a trial regime

Covid19 expanded a planned trial of a more 21st Century climate conscious approach to managing parts of the green estate

Public health restrictions and pressures on critical services saw 75% of Local Authorities stop or reduce their grass cutting regime

Staff were deployed to support critical services and the cutting regime was adjusted

Lockdown supercharged the National Trust “No Mow May” campaign with only the priority amenity areas having one cut during the month to maintain condition and access for the public

Regular cuts of grassland important for people spending time outdoors/exercising were prioritised

Capacity released from fewer grass cuts meant other essential green estate work was undertaken including ensuring that the Local Nature Reserves were given more care and attention.

Managed edge cutting to 900 areas commenced in July (short back and sides and informal paths)

Full cuts began in August and by the end of October all grass and meadows had final cuts for winter

Improved communications reached over 67,000 digitally including a short video explainer

Significant reduction in reports for grass cutting issues received in 2020 compared with 2018-19

OUTCOMES FOR PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE

The 2020 regime equated to;

40% of grassland managed for nature a 266% increase in areas to connect with nature

33% less fuel in grass cutting operations

Plymouth study shows twice the species diversity in both plants and insects in grassland areas managed as meadow

Recognition from partners National Trust, Buglife and Devon Wildlife Trust

More capacity for works in woodlands and Local Nature Reserves

2021 grass cutting regime

As lockdown measures ease and vaccinations expand further, 2021 hopefully will be smoother!

The growing season and grass cutting gets underway during March and runs through to October

Grassland mapped and broken down to a neighbourhood level to help publish the cutting regime

Regime adjusted listening to 2020 feedback where use of spaces for amenity was unknown

Working with nature means that exact start dates and the timetable of the regime will always be determined by ground and weather conditions

60% of grassland will be maintained for people, for amenity and recreation (regular close mowing)

40% of grassland will be maintained for nature, in places that are of more use to nature than us, like verges and steep banks as well as meadows and wildflower sites (annual cut and bale)

Maintaining for nature will involve managed edges with a mown 1m strip

Signage/markers will be developed and installed during the year

Land use	Cutting regime	Example
Sports pitches and greens	Ensure playing surface standards met	Central Park Sports Plateau
Formal play areas	Ensure play standards met (avg 4 weekly)	Tothill Park play area
High intensity amenity	Maintain suitable grass height for public use (avg 4 weekly)	Plymouth Hoe Park
Highway verges <2 metres	Maintain safety/visibility (avg 4 weekly)	Very narrow sections on residential streets
Highway verges >2 metres	Annual cut with managed edges 1-2m to maintain safety	Western Approach

LOOKING FORWARD

Develop image bank for cutting regime to support published information

Develop digital systems with mapping capability, not only for operations, but with view to improved visual representations to publish for the public

Develop consistent campaign and materials including managed meadow site signage

Further recovery and improvement in condition for people and wildlife of grassland

Investing in equipment to increase baling of cuttings to ensure best practice management

Investing in seed harvesting equipment to create a local seed bank to be used to enhance city sites